A Nice Cup of Tea. Review on Nice Cup of Tea, A - Elaine Vail

A Nice Cup of Tea by Elaine Vail My friend from Canada was visiting India when I got hold of some books/CD which he had brought for his pastime. He was in Delhi for a short while. I borrowed the CD titled “A Nice Cup of Tea” by Elaine Vail. Beautifully told by the author, A Nice Cup of Tea combines the warmth of a good story with the soothing sounds of music. The CD begins with the whistle of the teakettle. Elaine goes on to tell the story of the relationship between a World War II Bride and her granddaughter. Told in the first person, from the granddaughter’s point of view, the story describes the grandmother’s move to Arizona, and how she brought along with her the custom of drinking tea. The granddaughter visits with her grandmother often, and the tea becomes a symbol of comfort. Whenever she is sad, she can always count on her grandmother and her soothing tea. Throughout the story, the tea cozy goes from new to tattered and frayed; this change reflects the stories theme of aging, and the changes of life. However, amidst all the change, the tea remains constant. Although this may not be the most exciting plot line, A Nice Cup of Tea is a thoughtful tale that reminds us to appreciate the simple things in life. This was the first novel which I heard through CD rather than reading it. It was a unique experience and find it easy and comfortable to listen than reading it. Prad Ratnaparkhi